Otter

And I don't mean the weather.

As I stood gazing through the bins this morning, at the other side of the lake, I heard an almighty splash! Too big for a diving duck.

I put the bins down, and stared at the ripples in the water.

About twenty feet away, a head broke the surface of the water, and we both stared at each other for what seemed like an age; but the reality was just a second. Then the head dived. The brief second we stared at each other, was enough to recognise the 'head', as that of an Otter.

He resurfaced further out in the lake another half a dozen times in the hour I stood waiting for a picture. No picture, but a moment embedded in my mind.

The first time I've ever seen an Otter in the lake.

I eventually made my way round the north lake, and found the second Reed Warbler calling from the reeds past the bandstand. He's a difficult one to spot though.

A couple of Mallards seem to have taken a liking to sitting on the roofs of the houses.

 Must be a great view from up there.

A male Mute Swan was taking great delight in chasing away any young swan that dared to be in his line of sight. And very pleased with himself he looked, too.

Up by the pub, I could only find one Oystercatcher on the grass;

along with a group of Mallards and geese.

As I started walking the south lake, I could hear the sound of a Sedge Warbler, coming from some brambles.

He only gave me a quick glimpse though, before he dived for cover.

At the far end of the lake, the usual Warblers were warbling away, and a male Blackcap gave me some good views as he turned up at a bramble bush with some nesting material.

He later posed in some branches while he had a preening session.

By the bird pallets, four young Coots were swimming around, and being fed by mum and dad;

and six Tufted Duck were cruising the waters too.

Eventually, back at the car park, a quick look for the Reed Warbler, in the hope of getting a picture in the sunlight, a fly over by a Mute Swan,

and in front of the pub, some Mallards hurriedly making their way to a group of people dishing out some bread.

A great morning.

Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)

Lesser Black-backed Gull [sp] (Larus fuscus)

Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Common Kingfisher [sp] (Alcedo atthis)

British Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major anglicus)

Sand Martin [sp] (Riparia riparia)

Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)

House Martin [sp] (Delichon urbicum)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Dunnock (Prunella modularis occidentalis)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)

Eurasian Reed Warbler [sp] (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)

Willow Warbler [sp] (Phylloscopus trochilus)

British Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus rosaceus)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

British Jay (Garrulus glandarius rufitergum)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Rook [sp] (Corvus frugilegus)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  39

Three Oystercatchers and a Common Sandpiper

A very short video today, because the camera continues to play up; I can't recharge one of the flat batteries, the other won't last very much longer, and the new camera doesn't arrive till Wednesday.

Bugger!

After topping up the feeders, I headed straight to the reeds, to catch sight of the calling Reed Warbler.

A shame the light wasn't better, but the sun soon began to make an appearance as I made my way round the north lake.

Some coloured marker buoys were stretched across the water; there was to be a Dragon Boat Race later. Much noise, crowds and distraction.

Thankfully I'll be away before all this happens.

I fed the pair of Mallards under the road bridge, and leaving them behind, I was soon at the reed bed up near the island, listening to the second Reed Warbler. No sign of him though.

A Cormorant was fishing in the sunlight though,

and a single Kingfisher sat in the trees on the island.

I made my way up to the top end of the lake, and found a Coot sitting on his nest.

A very grand affair. More like a tower block; impressively tall.

As I made my way along the path towards the weir, my mobile rang.

It was Trevor; he was under the road bridge on the other side of the lake.

We arranged to meet up at the road bridge, and continue round the south lake.

Very little else on the water, and as I began to make my way round the back of the pub, a Mute Swan flew by,

 backlit by the sun.

Past the pub, and lots of activity as a group of people were setting up for the boat race.

I met Trevor, and we made our way towards the shrubs where I'd seen the Sedge Warbler yesterday.

No luck today though. We searched and strained our ears to no avail.

Even checking along the edge of the river; but nothing.

We carried on round the lake.

As we got the far end, we met Graham. A quick chat, and then we made our way to the bird pallets; and then on to where the Mute Swan had been nesting.

Graham showed us where he'd found one of the swans eggs; undamaged.

It's looking more like 'human' involvement in the destruction of the nest site.

As we got near the rowing club, there were plenty of boats out on the south lake.

Dragon Boats on the north, and rowing boats on the south.

Who'd be a water bird at the weekends?

As we passed the jetties, and made our way round by the houses, a small bird flew by, and landed back by the rowing club.

 A Common Sandpiper.

He didn't stay there long though; too much activity going on, so he flew across to Cormorant island. As he settled, a couple more birds flew in, calling loudly.

Oystercatchers!

Not the usual two, but three.

They settled on the island, and began some display.

The display usually associated with a mating male, except there were two displaying, and one just seemed to be ignoring the whole thing.

Was this two males vying for the attention of a female?

Maybe........but certainly fascinating to watch.

Back by the car park area, we searched for the calling Reed Warbler, and took some pictures of one of the many Cuckooflowers growing there.

And a parting picture before we headed off, of a calling Chiffchaff.

An excellent morning; just a shame about all the boats.

Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Little Grebe [sp] (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)

Eurasian Sparrowhawk [sp] (Accipiter nisus)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

Lesser Black-backed Gull [sp] (Larus fuscus)

Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Common Kingfisher [sp] (Alcedo atthis)

Green Woodpecker [sp] (Picus viridis)

Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)

House Martin [sp] (Delichon urbicum)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes indigenus)

British Dunnock (Prunella modularis occidentalis)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Eurasian Reed Warbler [sp] (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)

Willow Warbler [sp] (Phylloscopus trochilus)

British Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus rosaceus)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Rook [sp] (Corvus frugilegus)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

House Sparrow [sp] (Passer domesticus)

British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)

European Greenfinch [sp] (Carduelis chloris)

European Goldfinch [sp] (Carduelis carduelis)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  44

Two Reed, one Sedge and no eggs.

A pleasant change to walk round the lake in sunshine this morning, after this weeks rain.

I soon found the Reed Warbler amongst the reeds this morning,

churning out his catchy tune. He's still proving to be a bit camera shy though.

The car park area was full of the sounds of Blackcap, Robin, Blackbird, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. Fantastic to hear so many birds singing in the morning.

The pair of Mallards met me under the road bridge, and over by the pub, the pair of Oystercatchers were feeding along with a group of Black-headed Gulls.

Up by the island, it was good to see a Kingfisher fly past the nest site, and land in the trees. Maybe they've not left the nest after all.

The Heron was in his usual place, and soon left as I got too close.

In the reed bed past the bandstand, the sound of another Reed Warbler. Difficult to see, but eventually he gave me a quick glimpse. That makes two so far.

Very little at the top end of the lake now, apart from a couple of Coots, a pair of Great Crested Grebes, a Cormorant drying his feathers on the boat, and a pair of Tufted Duck.

At the moment there are three pairs of Tufted Duck spread around the lake. Maybe they will nest here? If they do, now would be the time.

Round past the pub, and I was amused to see a Greylag Goose surrounded by Starlings.

Yes, little things amuse me at times. Must be the tablets; but it kind of reminded me of the Pied Piper.

Ok, I'll move on.

The south lake had one hungry Crow, who patiently waited for his apple, and a couple of Swallows were taking a much needed rest, perched up in a tree.

Close to the edge of the lake, a pair of Mute Swans were making all the right moves prior to some mating. The female suddenly changed her mind though, much to the annoyance of the male.

No further comment.

As I made my way down the path, towards the far end, I heard a scratchy sound coming from some bushes. A sound similar to a Reed Warbler, but coarser, with a few whistles thrown in. Had to be a Sedge Warbler; they have a tendency to call from bushes more than a Reed Warbler.

I stood searching with eyes and ears, and eventually managed a couple of glimpses as he moved through the bushes. Finally he briefly climbed a branch and sat long enough for me to see his creamy coloured eye stripe; but not long enough for a picture.

Another day then.

At the far end, a quick look to see if the Orchids have made any more progress through the earth, and then on to the bird pallet, and feed the Robin.

Up by the offices, I looked in on the nesting Mute Swans.

Unfortunately the three eggs that were there yesterday, have disappeared.

I imagine predated by something.

I've been told by a couple of people that they've seen mink around there, so maybe they are the culprits?

Finally I got back to the car park, and a Song Thrush gave me a perfect back view.

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Full list of today's sightings

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)

Common Buzzard [sp] (Buteo buteo)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

Lesser Black-backed Gull [sp] (Larus fuscus)

Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Common Kingfisher [sp] (Alcedo atthis)

British Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major anglicus)

Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Dunnock (Prunella modularis occidentalis)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)

Eurasian Reed Warbler [sp] (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)

Willow Warbler [sp] (Phylloscopus trochilus)

British Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus rosaceus)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Rook [sp] (Corvus frugilegus)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)

European Goldfinch [sp] (Carduelis carduelis)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  38

A walk with the Parks Trust and a Reed Warbler

I had arranged to meet up with the Parks Trust this morning, for a walk round the lake, to see what is about, and where, so a short video today.

I arrived early, so I set off round the north lake first, to see what was about, before they arrived. 

Well, plenty of rain again.

I managed a snatch of video of the Reed Warbler, so I was pleased with that, and as I got under the road bridge, I could see plenty of Swallows and Martins skimming the water.

In front of the pub, about 20 Black-headed Gulls, and half a dozen Lesser Black-backed Gulls, along with a group of Starlings.

Blackcap, Chiffchaff, and Willow Warblers were in fine voice again, and a couple of Herons fishing the edges of the lake.

Green Woodpeckers were calling, but being very secretive, and a couple of Common Terns were flying around.

I was soon round by the pub, and watching the pair of Oystercatchers through the rain, and a few Pied Wagtails on the grass.

Over the road bridge, and in time to meet up with the Parks Trust, for 8 a.m.

A quick chat, and we set off.

As we neared the top end, a pair of Great Crested Grebes were just finishing the 'head waggle' routine, before diving, to come up with some weed, for a half hearted 'weed dance' in the distance.

Highlights as we walked round the north lake were a sighting of a Kingfisher, and a Hobby, as he flew overhead. My first one this year.

The south lake had more Swallows and Martins, and up by the offices, the Mute Swan is now sitting on three eggs.

The stars this time were Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, being mobbed by some Swallows, and a Common Sandpiper down at the rowing club.

As we reached the car park, one last look for the Reed Warbler; and success, even managed a couple of pictures through the reeds.

A most enjoyable morning in the company of Martin and Dawn.

Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)

Eurasian Sparrowhawk [sp] (Accipiter nisus)

Common Kestrel [sp] (Falco tinnunculus)

Eurasian Hobby [sp] (Falco subbuteo)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

Lesser Black-backed Gull [sp] (Larus fuscus)

Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)

Feral Pigeon (Columba livia 'feral')

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Common Kingfisher [sp] (Alcedo atthis)

Green Woodpecker [sp] (Picus viridis)

Sand Martin [sp] (Riparia riparia)

Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)

House Martin [sp] (Delichon urbicum)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes indigenus)

British Dunnock (Prunella modularis occidentalis)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Eurasian Reed Warbler [sp] (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)

Willow Warbler [sp] (Phylloscopus trochilus)

British Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus rosaceus)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Rook [sp] (Corvus frugilegus)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)

European Greenfinch [sp] (Carduelis chloris)

European Goldfinch [sp] (Carduelis carduelis)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  46

Back, with a Wheatear and a Redstart.

After a great two weeks in Wales, today was the first venture round the lake.
And what a venture!

As I topped up the feeders, a Kingfisher was calling and flying up and down along the edge of the water. A good start.


The grass in front of the feeders, is now a mass of Cowslips, all flowering.

Quite a sight.

A couple of Chiffchaff calling around by the car park, along with a couple of Willow Warblers,

and a male Blackcap.

There were to be more of these, all around the lake.

The sun was shining by now, and another Kingfisher flew past the nest site.


At the top end of the north lake, a distinct lack of 'winter ducks', and across the lake, the pair of Mute Swans were happily nesting close to the edge of the lake.

Probably not the best of places.

As I made my way around the back of the pub, a single Wheatear was foraging in the grass, and amongst the mole hills.

Only the second one I've seen here.

He soon flew up into the trees,

and then flew off north.



A few Cuckooflower's were out in flower, amongst the grass,

or sometimes known as Lady's Smock.

Past the pub, and on towards the south lake. A look over to Cormorant island, and in the far distance, a Common Sandpiper, along the edge.

He's the little white crescent on the edge of the shore.

A very heavy crop and shot towards the sun.
A terrible picture, but I always like to try and get some video, or a picture, of what I see, just in case some of the grown ups doubt what I see.


And the next bird was a cracker!


The picture is equally poor, he was very mobile, and took off into the bush, so it was a case of shoot and hope; but it's not everyday I see a Redstart here.

A stunning male, too. He's smack in the middle of the frame.

At the top end of the south lake, and under the railway arch, a lone Bluebell, brightening up the darkness there.

The Little Grebes were swimming in their usual spot, and more warblers calling from the bushes.
By the offices, a pair of Mute Swans have built a nest, where a Heron used to love to fish. I don't suppose he'll be fishing there for a while.

One of the swans had a couple of rings on, so I'll try to find out where he was ringed.

My guess would be in Bedford; some of them usually find their way here.

As I reached the car park, a quick shower of hale and rain; but not enough to dampen a cracking morning.

Full list of today's sightings

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)

Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)

Gadwall [sp] (Anas strepera)

Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

Little Grebe [sp] (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

Lesser Black-backed Gull [sp] (Larus fuscus)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Eurasian Collared Dove [sp] (Streptopelia decaocto)

Common Kingfisher [sp] (Alcedo atthis)

Green Woodpecker [sp] (Picus viridis)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Dunnock (Prunella modularis occidentalis)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Redstart [sp] (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)

Northern Wheatear [sp] (Oenanthe oenanthe)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)

Willow Warbler [sp] (Phylloscopus trochilus)

British Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus rosaceus)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Rook [sp] (Corvus frugilegus)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

House Sparrow [sp] (Passer domesticus)

British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  39